By Ismail D. Kigongo
Kampala
There won’t be an Enabu dynasty when the national basketball team competes at the Fiba Africa Zone V Nations Championship.
The team to be unveiled this morning to the media does not have DMark Power point guard Emmanuel Enabu. The rookie of the year failed to make the final 12-man team but his elder brothers Jimmy and Ivan, both of UCU Canons, made the grade. Sources close to the team told Daily Monitor that Nkumba Marines’ power forward Philip Wakimwero was also dropped for the event set for next week in Kigali, Rwanda.
So dominant in the paint, Wakimwero has struggled with his shooting throughout the past three weeks of practice due to a right knee problem. Despite being part of the future, Emmanuel lacks experience having played only one topflight season. The omissions cement coach Gad Eteu’s insinuations about the composition following a gritty 78-67 triumph over a Select side last Friday at YMCA.
“From the current team of 14, we might drop one big man and a guard,” Eteu said in an interview. His team will not have any further excuses when they play their last trial game against a Select side at YMCA court, Wandegeya this evening.
Without Emmanuel, forwards Norman Blick, Stephen Omony and Isaac Afidra might have to take turns to manage the ball in case point guards Ben Komakech and Ivan need a breather. Centres Robert Mubiru and Brian Ssentongo will offer the much needed size.
Meanwhile, the women’s team to be released today will not have KCC Leopards’ guard Becky Akullo and her A1 Challenge counterpart Gloria Kyomugisha. Coach Mandy Juruni named UCU Lady Canons skipper Frances Nabulobi as national captain with Vicky Nassolo deputising.
The teams are awaiting confirmation of the actual dates for the event that was moved from February 1-6 to 7-12 until Egypt requested for another postponement because of the current political crisis in Cairo.
Men’s squad
B. Komakech (v. captain),
J. Enabu, I. Enabu, J. Ikong,
E. Malinga, B. Okello, S. Omony
(captain), N. Blick, I. Afidra,
B. Ssentogo, R. Mubiru, E.
Kateregga
Women: A. Namirimu, C.
Nantalo, M. Amoding,
J. Nansobya, Lyn Nalunkuma,
F. Nabulobi (captain), M. Siima,
V. Nassolo, C. Karungi, M. Soigi,
P. Proscovia, C. Nyafwono.